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Thursday, April 28, 2016

Heart of New Zealand: Anzac Day

Seemed
every New Zealand museum, regardless of focus or size, ANZAC (Australian
and New Zealand Army Corps)
commemorations were heavily featured.Perhaps it’s because it’s the 100-year anniversary of “The Great War.”
World War I (WWI)’s devastatingly bloody battle at Gallipoli, a flashpoint of
recognition of the great sacrifice made by those who lost their lives in the
battle.Many believe Gallipoli
unified and oft-divided Kiwi nation across all classes and races in their
grief.

Anzac’s
managed hold true to its intent by deliberately resisting “Monday-fication”
that dilutes so many holidays.However, by luck of the draw, we happened to be in New Zealand when
Anzac fell on a Monday.

“Meet
me at the ablution block at 5 am if you’d like to join me for the dawn service,”
Litara said.Litara’s Western
Samoan by birth, though she’s lived in New Zealand many years and in my
definition is as Kiwi as any All Black fan.Sadly, I don’t consider myself that patriotic, yet I wanted
to sense this small but important moment that appears deeply core to the New
Zealand identity.

Wreaths are laid in memory of the fallen. Anzac ceremony,Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand.

Litara,
French-Canadian cruiser and fellow walking buddy Louise, and I joined what
eventually became a crowd of several thousand who participated by attending the
remembrance ceremony.

We
were early, watching the speakers, color guard and band set up, well before the
parade wended its way from the Returning Service Association (RSA) to the war memorial
site where the ceremony was held.

Anzac ceremony just ending, Whangarei, New Zealand.

“We
will remember,” was the message of profound respect conveyed to honor and
credit those who gave their lives and thus helped make New Zealand what it is
today.

the
naming of the fallen whilst wreaths were laid to the accompaniment of bagpipes

concluded
with a speaker from the Navy

reveille
hymn, Sons of Gallipoli

drum
roll

singing
of the Australian and New Zealand National anthems, the latter in both English
and Maori

student
marching bands playing as the crowds dispersed

Student marching bands play as the last of the crowddisperses. Whangarei, New Zealand, Anzac Day.

It
was interesting to note the participants did indeed appear cut across all
classes and age groups– with the
young in particularly strong attendance.Death, after all, like life, is one experience we all share.

Five days after Anzac, this commemorative Maori wreath withfrangipani still looks fresh. Parihaki War Memorial,Whangarei, New Zealand.

The
next day, on our usual climb up Mt. Parihaki, we noticed several wreaths laid
at the base of the summit’s war memorial.Several of the cards accompanying the wreaths were in Maori one even
laced with frangipani, fitting as Parihaki is considered a holy place, one now
dedicated to remembering those lost in the battles held there long ago.

From
the Talmud, we’re taught, “We live on in the lives of those who knew us.”In New Zealand, those who fought for
their country are indeed well remembered.

As we
leave New Zealand, it is with a sense of gratitude to experiencing the wonder
of this beautiful country, and more so, the generosity and kindness of it
people.We hope someday to return.

We didn't get too far today, but we did makeit out of Whangarei. Here, we're just aboutcross under the bridge lift on our way out.

Location Location

As you read this, we’ve just resumed cruising. We
left our pole mooring in Whangarei's Town Basin Marina (S35.43.414 E174.19.539)
at 11 am today and pausing overnight 12 nm downriver at Marsden Cove (S35.50.235 E174.28.156), assessing whether weather's good enough, or not yet. Our first stop's Fiji, ~1170 nm, our 2nd
longest ever passage. Once we clear New Zealand customs and set sail, it will
take us about two weeks to get to Fiji.

Sailing by the Numbers

Last
year, between December 2014 and November 2015 we sailed from Florida USA to New
Zealand, over 10,000 miles. This year, from Fiji, we’ll go to Vanuatu,
New Caledonia and Australia.After
we arrive in Australia in around November, completing another 4,500 or so miles
this cruising season, we plan to sell our boat. Then, it's back to work,
somewhere.